Rise 'N Hop
Great Lakes Brewing Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bright, floral, citrusy. Earthy, bitter, robust. Two completely separate sets of tastes coexisting on one glass- either they're masterful or crazy but the brewers of Great Lakes are among the first brewers that explore the notion that hops and coffee go together.

Rise 'n Hop is a coffee IPA that carries a deep amber austere, brighter than typical and certainly not eluding to any relevancy of coffee. But the first glancing blow of the nose reveals a medium-strength nutty, earthy chicory tone of the java bean that's tucked nicely behind bolder citrus hop aromatics and rich caramelized malt. It's that malt influence that registers on the early palate with a toasted sweetness of candied pecans and savory bread crust with a light honey undertone.

As the sweetness begins to relax, the hop character grows; blossoming from pink grapefruit, lemon and orange and into a mellow array of cantaloupe, marmalade, herbal teas, sassafras and a hint of gooseberry. All the while, the aura of coffee plays out with its rustic refinement of peppercorn, soil, licorice and aromatic woods. Both hops and coffee trending bitter but never in the complete dominance over malt that is expected of IPA.

Medium through and through, the beer's robust toffee sweetness keeps the hops and coffee well supported as the ale trends sweeter and more dense for a full and balanced texture. Trailing bitter-sweetness is coupled with short coffee aromatics and long roast-derived bitterness.

This is really good. Had on draft at Studio 35 in Columbus. It's an IPA, but it's pretty mild. It's hoppy but not overly so. The coffee is present in the smell and the taste, and makes the beer interesting.

 

 

Gross no thanks! I hate Great Lakes don't know why I even try it!

 

Pours light copper color with decent head. Well filtered as you can see through it. Smell is piney with strong coffee tones. Malty base with heavy coffee flavor, finishes bitter. Overall a decent beer but too malty and too heavy on the coffee for me.